Not done yet: Shane Williams
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In a repeat of last season's semi-final the Ospreys take on Munster in the RaboDirect PRO12, but this time the Welsh side will have home advantage.
Their 2010/11 clash at Thomond Park was a close affair that Munster managed to win 18-11. Expect a similar scoreline to either XV on Friday.
The Ospreys are in an excellent run of form right now after winning five straight PRO12 fixtures - six out of eight since Steve Tandy took over the reins. Therefore it has come as no surprise that the Welsh have been installed as favourites, against a side they have beaten twice this campaign.
Munster meanwhile are in something of a period of transition after numerous retirements being announced while Paul O'Connell is out injured.
Donncha O'Callaghan, a replacement against Ulster, comes into the side for the injured O'Connell in an otherwise unchanged pack.
In the backs, Ian Keatley, a late withdrawal last weekend, replaces Scott Deasy at fly-half, while no surprise that a fit again Keith Earls in named at 13 with Ivan Dineen on the bench.
Ronan O'Gara has been named among the replacements after coming through training on Wednesday unscathed and Dave Kilcoyne is preferred to Marcus Horan in the number 17.
Meanwhile, Tandy has made his decision on the scrum-half dilemma and chosen Samoan Kahn Fotuali'i ahead of young Welshman Rhys Webb for the big clash. And Tandy, who is doing a fine job since assuming the position, is braced for a typically Munster performance.
"Munster will be coming to the Liberty with a winning mentality as they always do, wherever they play, whoever the opposition and whatever the game. They're a tough bunch, steely edged, with the knowhow and experience to win tight games and they won't be contemplating losing. You can guarantee that much," he told the Ospreys' official website.
"For us, it's a great game to host at the Liberty after having to go away to Munster at this stage last season and we're really looking forward to the challenge. The team have worked hard to get us into the position over the last couple of months and they've been rewarded with a home semi, but now they have to start all over again. It's a one off game and results in the run-up don't matter now, it's all about who comes out on top on Friday night.
"It's going to be a tough old battle between two teams who know each other very well, two teams who will have to slug it out to get control out there, but it should be a tight, edgy affair as games between the Ospreys and Munster always are. We'll have our home support behind us and they'll have an important part to play as well, as we'll need to make full use of every advantage we can get."
Form: Ospreys and Munster have both reached the Play-Offs for a third successive year, with Ospreys going on to become champions in 2010 and the Munster last season. Ospreys have won their last five RaboDirect PRO12 encounters and have been defeated just once at Liberty Stadium in the tournament this season: in round 17 to Glasgow. Ospreys only loss to an Irish province this season was 14-15 to Ulster at Ravenhill on 24 February. Munster are unbeaten in their last three, and have lost only once on the road in any competition in 2012: 17-21 at Aironi in round 14 of the PRO12. The Munstermen are unbeaten in their last five encounters with Welsh regions in all competitions. The two sides met at this same stage last season, where Munster won 18-11 at Thomond Park. The Munstermen have won twice before at Liberty Stadium: 25-21 in January 2009 and 22-20 in April 2011.
Ones to watch:
For Ospreys: In what could be his last game at Liberty Stadium - depending on the result in the other RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final - Shane Williams has made something of a habit out of going out with a bang. For Wales, he scored in his last Test late on while he also went over for the Ospreys in what could have been his last game in black a couple of weeks ago. Therefore, all eyes will be on the wing again as he looks to further extend his playing career.
For Munster: IRUPA Young Player of the Year, Peter O'Mahony has made a name for himself this season and is expected to be on the plane for New Zealand for their upcoming Tests. The back-row is a busy player and while he will be a vital cog in the Munster side, Ronan O'Gara's importance once again cannot be underplayed. If the fly-half can get the upper hand on Dan Biggar and put his side in the right areas, then Munster have a shot.
Prediction: We are backing the Welsh for this one. Ospreys by 6!
The teams:
Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Joe Bearman, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Ryan Jones, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 James King, 20 Tom Smith, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Tom Isaacs.
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Johne Murphy, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Denis Fogarty, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Dave O'Callaghan, 20 Paddy Butler, 21 Tomas O'Leary, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Ian Dineen.
Date: Friday, May 11
Kick-off: 19:35 BST
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Nigel Owens (WRU), Marius Mitrea (FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)
Comments
jontheref says...
Have to admit, Kahn played very well tonight.
Still think O's are in a good place, two 9's pushing each other.
Posted 00:10 12th May 2012
vaizpatu2011 says...
@ munkian
you were saying?? hahaha!! how about that defense!! and the team try of the tournament? The from Kahns quick thinking that lead to the 3rd try?? so really?? you were saying??
Posted 21:07 11th May 2012
jontheref says...
jtimkins
I hope you are correct, and Rolland is not an issue.
Should be three nuetrals, they can afford it.
At least we have not got Tony rowlands as TMO, as he can single handedly turn a game!
Though Whitehouse gave Munster a try the other week, that my TV said no to.
(Cue TV " No try". )
Posted 18:13 11th May 2012
papachinzo says...
Hmm... Munster - Leinster final in Lansdowne Road I'd say.
Although I'd think Leinster would prefer Ospreys, mainly because they owe them a beating !
Posted 17:13 11th May 2012
munkian says...
vaizpatu2011 - Khan has been laclustre most of the season, thank God he's recently remembered how to box kick. He also whinges and moans to the ref far too much and O'Rolland wont put up with it.
Posted 15:55 11th May 2012
jtimkins says...
@ThinkingGame. . . You have to look at the fact that assistant ref and TMO are both Welsh. Either way I wouldn't think it will be an issue during the match. . . I hope!
Posted 15:51 11th May 2012
ThinkingGame says...
Seems odd to have Rolland in charge. I guess the Leinster bias should overrule any national allegiance, but he's hardly been in form as a referee recently.
Fotuali'i's kicking game has been poor all season. He doesn't seem able to reliably get distance or accuracy, let alone both. There's not much between him and Webb with the ball, they're both prone to poor passes but Webb has been much livelier in support. But this is Munster, so Kahn's superior tackling and physical threat will be much more useful for the first 60.
Posted 12:40 11th May 2012
jontheref says...
Have to disagree with the praise for Kahn.
He has been quiet all season, for a player of his supposed class.
When I remember the showboating for a catch, (which he dropped!) it seems to sum him up.
Granted the last game, he looked to be fulfilling some of his promise.
Hope Tandy has it right!
If O's are to win, they must match the intensity Munster showed last week, and not the style they showed away to Aironi.
Posted 11:54 11th May 2012
vaizpatu2011 says...
@ollieosprey
Kahn Fotualii has been outstanding ever since he came into the team. Webb is not very effective in the way he controls the forwards...especially if we need quick ball for the back-line as Kahn seems to be so effective in that regard. So Im really happy with this decision by Tandy
Posted 03:49 11th May 2012
lostprofit says...
@CDRugby
No, hes had quite the underwhelming season. Management dont trust Scott Desay yet and O'Gara wont last the full 80 been just back from injury. So eatly it is by default.
If Irish management have any sense (laughable) they will bring neither to NZ.
Posted 01:10 11th May 2012
jcahill1 says...
Madigan over Keatley if Rog isn't included.
Posted 20:52 10th May 2012
makemehappy says...
@ollieosprey - come on, webb isn't in the same league as Fotuali'i. Most of the players aren't. There's a good reason why one has played at the highest level and one hasn't. Webb is a good player and improving, so maybe one day. But now? You must be joking!
Posted 20:29 10th May 2012
adamk says...
@CDRugby Because it's Kidders you can bet ROG will be haunting that team. However, if he wasn't, or if they were going to bring a third choice OH it would be Madigan. In reality it's a toss up between Madigan and Jackson, however Jackson will be at the JWC so....
Posted 19:36 10th May 2012
CDRugby says...
Keatley must of had a good season to start this game. Chances of Keatley making the Ireland squad for the summer, or will they stick with rog?
Posted 18:14 10th May 2012
ollieosprey says...
Also, really poor decision not to start Webb...
Posted 17:55 10th May 2012
ollieosprey says...
Would be brilliant if the Ospreys won this, for Shane to finish in a final would be fantastic, can't wait
Posted 17:54 10th May 2012
hermes says...
It looks like the upper hand, is on the other foot.
Posted 15:25 10th May 2012
corkoptimist says...
It'll be tough for ROG to get the upper hand while on the bench!
Posted 12:47 10th May 2012